Broncos' Hunt back in the pack

Utility Ben Hunt is the only change to a Brisbane side eyeing their sixth consecutive victory when they face Wests Tigers in Sydney on Good Friday.

Hunt has missed two weeks with a knee injury but slots straight back into his bench spot in place of Corey Norman for this weekend’s traditional Good Friday match at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Broncos historic opponents, the Roosters, are locked into an ANZAC Day match on Monday with the Dragons meaning Wests Tigers step in as the Broncos marquee opponent.

Rookie winger Dale Copley, who scored a double in last weekend’s 24-6 win over the Roosters, has been retained with Jack Reed in the centres.

That forced re-shuffle came late last week after it was revealed Queensland-hopeful Ben Te’o had a small break in his arm.

Injuries to fullback Josh Hoffman (corked shin) and prop Scott Anderson (calf) will sideline them for at least another week while Josh McGuire and Shane Tronc will again play Queensland Cup.

The Broncos met the Tigers just once last season – losing 14-16 at Suncorp Stadium in a match where Origin stars Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday were unavailable.

That win broke a three game losing streak for the Tigers against the Broncos and despite a heavy injury toll, they will look to bounce back from an upset loss to the Titans last week.

The battle between Australian and New Zealand five-eighths, Lockyer and Benji Marshall, could possibly affect the outcome of the game.

Channel Nine will broadcast the Good Friday match live into Queensland and New South Wales from 7:30pm.

NQ shoot for three

Having recorded their first back-to-back win since June 2009, the North Queensland Cowboys are now eying off a hat-trick when they travel to Cronulla on Saturday.

Suspended duo Gavin Cooper (judiciary) and James Tamou (club) both return to a 19 man squad after missing last weekend’s 26-18 win over Canberra.

The duo has been named on a six man bench that also includes their last match replacements Leeson Ah Mau and Will Tupou.

Cooper had been in strong form to start the season and appears likely to play – registering his 100th NRL match in the process.

The Sharks have found renewed attacking but after back-to-back early season wins, they have lost their last three games in close circumstances.

Cronulla’s last home match was an after-the-siren loss to Manly which should inspire them to a big performance in front of their home crowd.

North Queensland has a poor record against the Sharks – winning just seven of 26 matches.

In their last meeting, at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Round 16 last year, the Cowboys gave up an 18-nil lead to be run down 19-20 in Golden Point.

Saturday’s match is live on Fox Sports with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm.

Bailey’s 200th

Titan’s veteran Luke Bailey will play his 200th NRL match on Sunday when his side travels to Sydney for a match with Parramatta.

Bailey debuted in 2000 for the Dragons and after seven successful years, formed part of the inaugural Gold Coast side for the 2007 season.

He was also the club’s co-captain until this season and has played 15 Origins and four Test matches over a stellar career.

Given the Titans start to the season, the club will be just as focussed on a win this weekend as they are on celebrating Bailey’s career.

The Titans overcame a 14 point deficit to record a late 20-14 win over the Tigers last weekend at Skilled Park – just their second win from six matches to start the year.

Parramatta have an identical record but are coming off back-to-back losses at the hands of Melbourne and the Bulldogs.

Titans Coach John Cartwright has stuck with the same squad for Easter Sunday’s match with Sam Tagataese named 18th man after missing selection last week.

His replacement Luke O’Dwyer was impressive in his first game of the season and will be out for another big match against his former club.

Gold Coast enjoys playing the Eels having won four of their five matches.

Sunday’s match begins at 3pm and will be broadcast by Channel Nine on delay from 4pm.

Brisbane Broncos vs. Tigers, Friday 7:35pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Gerard Beale, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Mitchell Dodds, Dane Carlaw, Nick Kenny, Ben Hunt.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Newcastle, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Antonio Winterstein, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims, Gavin Cooper, James Tamou, Will Tupou (two to be omitted).

Gold Coast Titans vs. Eels, Sunday 3pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 4pm)
Luke Capewell, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Bodene Thompson, David Mead, William Zillman, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Matthew White, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Ryan James, Ben Ridge, Luke O’Dwyer, Sam Tagataese (one to be omitted).